A-Z Guide to the Next Generation of Black-Owned Brands
by Ashantéa Austin
Vybz Kartel is finally free, and "Clarks" is suddenly a trending sound all over my FYP—the shoe company really has a golden marketing opportunity right now. It reminds me of the Air Force Ones craze Nelly sparked back in 2002.
It’s all got me thinking about how much Black history and fashion history are intertwined. Let's not forget the cotton industry was built on the exploitation and labor of enslaved Black people. Black designers and artists have been at the forefront of setting trends forever from pioneering streetwear to redefining haute couture. The influence is both profound and undeniable. We have contributed our culture, textiles, labour, and innovations—often without receiving due recognition or benefits. Supporting Black-owned brands is crucial not only for promoting diversity but also for preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of Black excellence and innovation.
Here is my A-Z directory of some Black-owned brands that I think deserve more recognition on fashion’s world stage.
This list only scratches the surface, but let it be a gateway of discovery for those who don’t know who, what, or wear to look when buying black-owned.
A
Ahluwalia - Priya Ahluwalia is challenging the fashion industry with her eco-conscious ready-to-wear label. Designs fuse the rich heritage of her Indian-Nigerian roots with the vibrant energy of London. The brand reimagines vintage and surplus materials, breathing new life into each piece through intricate textile and patchwork techniques, making many of its creations one of a kind. Drawing inspiration from art, music, and literature, Ahluwalia transcends traditional fashion, producing collaborative campaigns, books, and films.
Amari Carter - is dedicated to creating high-quality womenswear through meticulous attention to detail and ethical practices. Their designs are made in New York and sewn by an in-house team.
Awake NY - founded by Angelo Baque, former Supreme brand director, Awake NY has become a prominent name in contemporary streetwear. Collaborations with brands such as Carhartt WIP, Timberland, Reebok, and Moncler have paid homage to hip-hop legends while redefining NYC streetwear for a modern, socially-conscious audience.
B
Bianca Saunders - helmed by a British designer from her West Indian heritage. Bianca’s designs often feature experimental cuts, color-blocking, and a blend of traditional tailoring with modern aesthetics, presenting a unique take on masculinity and menswear.
Brother Vellies - aimed to preserve traditional African design practices the brand celebrates cultural histories and showcases timeless design. Aurora James, the a Toronto resident, Creative Director and Founder, leverages her extensive background in fashion, journalism, and art to craft unique, enduring pieces that blend artisanship with humanitarianism.
C
Christopher John Rodgers - is a namesake label from the American fashion designer, born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2021, he was named the CFDA's American womenswear designer of the year and an LVMH Prize finalist.
CRUÈL Inc - was founded in 2018 by William Ampofo, CRUÈL utilizes a non-traditional approach to working with fabrics. The brand offers timeless yet avant-garde unisex collections, pushing you to the edge of your comfort zone and inspiring fearless self-expression through its meticulously crafted pieces.
D
D Bleu Dazzled - started in 2010 by Destiney Bleu who has an extensive background in performance. The LA-based brand specializes in custom hand crystallized items including hosiery, lingerie, and performance wear, with a mission to make everyone feel like a superstar. As seen on top celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga, and featured in Disney's "Black Is King.”.
Dapper Dan - THE GOAT period.
E
Elisa Johnson - is an independent eyewear brand launched in 2021 based in Los Angeles. Elisa noticed a gap in the market for accessible, high-quality eyewear, especially from Black-owned brands. After years of refining designs, her products blend classic and modern styles, aiming to empower wearers with confidence and individuality.
Essentials - the diffusion line of Fear of God created by Jerry Lorenzo, this brand offers collections of functional everyday loungewear with a minimalist monochromatic aesthetic. Known for its slouchy hoodies, crisp T-shirts, and cozy lounge pants in mostly earth tones.
F
Fear of God - see Essentials
Fenty - lead by miss motherrrr ofc. Although the Fenty fashion maison was closed in 2021, Fenty Beauty has never been better. Rihanna was inspired to create the world of Fenty Beauty after seeing a void for products that performed across all skin tones + types and hair textures.
G
Grace Wales Bonner -is known for her sophisticated menswear that fuses British and African influences. Her designs often explore themes of identity and heritage, creating a distinctive blend of high fashion and cultural commentary.
GVDŠ - pronounced "gods," stands for "gifted with visual diverse skills" and focuses on blending minimal engineering lines with authentic West African patterns. The brand's designs celebrate the rich heritage and history of African culture, creating art that is both visually appealing and deeply symbolic. GVDŠ's collections, including the Adinkra symbols jewelry, explore the balance between engineered silhouettes and African symbolism, elevating the standards of original and meaningful design.
H
Heron Preston - San Francisco-born designer, DJ, and artist, Heron Preston Johnson launched his eponymous label in 2016. Exploring 'authenticity' in fashion the label now merges his unique worldview with sustainable streetwear, drawing inspiration from internet culture, youth, and counterfeit aesthetics. Innovative designs for the culture.
HEAD OF STATE - was founded in 2016 by Nigerian-born designer Taofeek Abijako who was just 17 at the time! The New York-based contemporary fashion brand critiques the effects of Western imposition on marginalized spaces, and pays tribute to postcolonial youth culture. With a commitment to diversity, representation, and social impact, proceeds from sales go to supporting initiatives that help underserved communities build sustainable futures.
I
I AM I SIGO - a contemporary wearable art brand based in Lagos, Nigeria dedicated to preserving history and transmitting knowledge through fashion and textiles. The brand uses unconventional materials and heritage textile traditions to craft garments that reclaim forgotten historical narratives, serving as a silent protest against post-colonialism. With an entirely artisanal, handmade approach, the brand honors ancestral techniques while incorporating socio-political issues through textile art, space installations, visuals, and film.
Imane Ayissi- is a luxury fashion house celebrated for its fusion of African heritage with the sophistication of Parisian haute couture. The brand creates bespoke haute-couture pieces and luxury ready-to-wear collections.
J
Joshua Jamal- is an emerging designer and fashion label already recognized for his otherwordly designs. The brand uniquely intersects urban culture, military, and high-fashion sophistication. Offering a range of distressed pieces, reworked garments, patchwork caps, and cut-and-sew creations with a rebellious, avant-garde attitude. The label has quickly gained a cult following, worn by icons like Playboi Carti and Kanye West. More than just a brand, Joshua Jamal is an exploration of the Black experience and the power of fashion as an art form.
Jam + Rico - founded by Lisette Scott in 2016, is a jewelry brand that celebrates Caribbean culture through vibrant, bold designs. With a mission to infuse the essence of Caribbean music, people, and terrain into each piece, they have made a significant impact in the fashion world. Their participation in the Natural Diamond Council’s Emerging Designer Diamond Initiative. A vibrant emblem of Caribbean-inspired luxury.
K
K.NGSLEY- designer Kingsley Gbadegesin founded K.NGSLEY in 2020. The brand stands out for its versatile, genderless pieces that blend basics with distinctive twists, including tank tops and trousers with unique cutouts and asymmetric details. Celebrated for highlighting Black, queer, femme, and trans identities in fashion, combining understated elegance with bold, marginalized perspectives through its collections and delicate jewelry accents.
Kenneth Nicholson- a namesake label known for its innovative approach to menswear. Established with a focus on modern tailoring and refined craftsmanship, the brand blends traditional sartorial techniques with a fresh, forward-thinking perspective. Nicholson's designs explore themes of identity and personal expression, making a significant impact on the fashion industry with its sophisticated, yet accessible, take on menswear.
L
Lukhanyo Mdingi - a South African brand and designer known for his refined and elegant menswear. His designs often incorporate luxurious fabrics and subtle textures, reflecting a sophisticated and contemporary style.
Lownn - established in 2017 by twins Loïc and Swann Joachim, Lownn is a Paris-based fashion label renowned for its minimalist reinterpretation of utilitarian workwear. The brand focuses on timeless, high-quality garments and accessories. Eschewing seasonal trends, Lownn emphasizes form and function using premium fabrics sourced from Italy and Japan. The brand's commitment to detailed cuts and fabric quality ensures that its pieces remain sophisticated and functional year-round.
M
Mowalola- London-based and founded by Nigerian designer Mowalola Ogunlesi. The brand was launched in 2018, and blends African influences with contemporary streetwear. Known for its striking use of vibrant colors, provocative graphics, and unconventional silhouettes, Mowalola challenges traditional fashion norms while celebrating diverse cultural narratives with a fearless approach and innovative designs, making a significant impact on the fashion industry with its unique aesthetic and powerful storytelling.
Martine Rose - is renowned for her innovative and subversive menswear designs. Her work often challenges traditional fashion norms, blending streetwear influences with high fashion to create unique and edgy collections.
N
Nuba - founded by Cameron Williams shortly after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2020, Nuba is a London-based menswear label co-directed by Jebi Labembika. The brand offers a distinctive vision of elegance, drawing from Afro-Caribbean and West African influences blended with London’s fashion scene. Nuba’s collections merge traditional menswear with cultural narratives inspired by the designers' heritage and personal experiences, creating garments that navigate the intersection of geography and identity with sophistication and authenticity.
O
One DNA - a lifestyle brand known for its knitwear, loungewear, and mission-driven graphics. Launched as a Black, Women, and Queer owned-and-operated small business, the brand offers premium, gender-inclusive basics that seamlessly blend womenswear and menswear. Their seasonless collections, featured in American Vogue and other top fashion publications, are sold at esteemed retailers like Nordstrom and Selfridges.
Off-White- founded in 2012, a high-fashion streetwear brand renowned for its distinctive blend of contemporary aesthetics and an innovative approach and collaborations with luxury brands. Now helmed by Ib Kamara. The brand is a global symbol of black creative expression. Rest in Peace Virgil Abloh you were a true inspiration to us all.
P
3.Paradis - a French-Canadian contemporary ready-to-wear brand by Creative Director Emeric Tchatchoua. The brand was founded on a message of freedom, hope, and universalism informed by the journey of life. Central to this is storytelling through the language of brand symbols like the white dove motif which has come to define the brand’s visual signature.
Phlemus - established by James Flemons in 2013 and based in Los Angeles. This brand was born out of a desire to bridge the gap between elevated fashion and everyday communities. Celebrated for its genderless designs that seamlessly blend luxury with streetwear influences, emphasizing individual expression and contemporary style.
Q
Quenlin Blackwell - okay so no “Q” named black-owned brands yet…. but the internet’s forever superstar Quenlin Blackwell started her own brand called Riquera. It’s giving futuristic hyper-pop streetwear in the best way, and is currently completely sold out leaving us excited for what’s next. Each piece is crafted with intention, precision, and creative integrity. Crafting this line was like exploring a new planet in my creative universe. Here's to the first of many; this is just the beginning
R
Rich Mnisi - launched in 2015 by Rich Mnisi, this namesake label is a contemporary, multi-disciplinary brand based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Initially created as a creative outlet for Mnisi to explore and reinterpret Africa’s hidden treasures through a modern lens, the brand reflects his deep connection to his Tsonga culture and heritage and has evolved into a creative laboratory, experimenting with contemporary expressions of duality—such as old and new, light and dark, and holy and wicked. The brand merges superior craftsmanship with an immersive yet measured approach, seamlessly navigating the known and unknown while continuously seeking to evolve.
Riquera - see Quenlin Blackwell
S
Spencer Badu - the Toronto-based designer founded his eponymous label in 2015 during his freshman year of college, driven by a commitment to challenging gender norms in fashion. Self-taught in patternmaking and needlework, Badu’s design approach is influenced by the Bauhaus movement, emphasizing minimalism and subtle intricacies. His unisex collections blend masculine and feminine elements. Celebrated for its innovative take on traditional uniforms and functionality, Badu's brand, which counts (me and) rapper Kendrick Lamar among its fans, reflects his Canadian-Ghanaian heritage and a vision of a gender-free wardrobe that fosters shared community and individualism.
Seventh- created by Bukki Ojo, who transitioned from a Topshop employee to a successful designer, Ojo leveraged her vintage editing experience and a master’s degree in fashion entrepreneurship to launch Seventh. Initially an experiment, the brand quickly gained a following for its clean lines and minimal aesthetics.
T
Theophilio- lead by the brilliant Theophilio Lemaire, it has quickly become a brand known for its edgy, contemporary designs that challenge conventional menswear norms while celebrating cultural heritage.
Tokyo James- was founded by Iniye Tokyo James in 2015, is a luxury fashion brand that began as a menswear label before expanding into womenswear. The brand is known for its bold tailoring and is deeply informed by cultural documentation of human behavior, exploring the intersectionality of identities and embracing a multiplicity of disciplines. Iniye Tokyo James, who studied Mathematics at Queen Mary University of London while working as a Creative Director and Stylist, has been recognized as a finalist for prestigious awards like the LVMH Young Designer Prize (2021).
U
Ugo Mozie - is a designer and stylist known for his bold and eclectic fashion sense. His work often features vibrant colors and distinctive patterns, reflecting a unique and influential style.
V
Vanleles- is the world’s first African high jewellery house and is renowned for its handcrafted pieces that merge African heritage with modern elegance, using high-quality materials and intricate designs.
Venny Etienne- the Haitian-American designer established this brand in 2018, and makes women’s ready-to-wear sportswear brand which launched in Dallas, TX. Part of a new generation of young emerging fashion brands, with a distinctive propensity is to bring together seemingly opposed elements through fashion.
W
Who Decides War- started by the self-taught designer Ev Bravado, Who Decides War is a New York-based streetwear brand that has gained a cult following for its innovative approach to fashion. Known for its fusion of military-inspired design with DIY aesthetics, the brand’s collections feature raw hems, stacked leathers, and patchwork denim. With a reputation for eye-catching details and deconstructed elements, Who Decides War has become a stas a designer known for its contemporary and culturally inspired clothing. The brand often features modern silhouettes and traditional textiles, celebrating a fusion of heritage and innovation.
Wizzolx- this label specializes in unique silhouettes and modern, cutting-edge styles, merging streetwear influences with high fashion elements. Wizzolx has quickly gained attention for its fearless approach to fashion, offering pieces that stand out for their creativity and distinctive vision. The brand's commitment to pushing boundaries has made it a rising star in the fashion world, appealing to those who seek originality and artistic expression in their wardrobe.
X
Xuly Bët- was started by the Malian-born designer Lamine Kouyaté whose energetic style is vividly expressed through the brand. The label blends urban Africa with the fashion worlds of Paris and New York, creating culturally resonant, fashion-forward pieces. Known for its avant-garde and eclectic fashion approach with vibrant colors, unique patterns, and experimental designs. Like those that were prominently featured in Robert Altman's film Ready to Wear (1994). Despite the challenges of the evolving fashion industry, Kouyaté has continued to innovate, ensuring that Xuly Bët remains a powerful force in fashion.
Y
YAKU - is CSM’s graduate Yaku Stapleton’s eponymous brand. YAKU, is a testament to his fascination with Afrofuturism and alternate realities. Known for its otherworldly designs, YAKU brings Stapleton’s visionary approach to fashion, inspired by the imaginative concept of his family’s personalities as video game characters. At just 25, Stapleton made waves with his fantastical elements and sculpture-like costume design, creating a grounded yet extraordinary take on contemporary fashion.
YEEZY - founded by Kanye West in 2015, it was instantly a prominent fashion label known for boundary-pushing designs and SZN shoes with a diverse and dynamic cast. Countly collaborations with major brands like Adidas and Gap produced iconic footwear and apparel, including the highly sought-after YEEZY Boost sneakers. The label's influence extends beyond fashion.
Z-
ZFACTORIE / Zam Barrett - Born in Jamaica and based in Brooklyn, New York, Barrett has established his eponymous brand as a leader in avant-garde fashion. His work is characterized by meticulous craftsmanship, innovative (de)construction techniques, and a deep commitment to quality. With a focus on individuality and self-expression, his collections are dystopian and designed in limited quantities, emphasizing the brand's dedication to exclusivity and attention to detail.
Zzz - This directory will go up in the morning but i’'ll be asleeep.
Although this was extremely time-consuming, I learned so much while researching these designers and feel so inspired by my community. I hope this article highlighted the diverse and influential contributions of black designers from all around the globe who continue to reshape the fashion industry. And that you learned a thing or two x
Black designers always have and will continue to drive the evolution of style across the globe <3.
Telsha Anderson
Martine Ali